Stringed musical instrument



J. WJ. MCERID De@ 2G? ei955 STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 5 SheetS-Sheei: l

Filed. Aug. 1G, l95l Dec. 20, 1955 L W McBRlDE 2,727,421

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. l0, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 213867216 74 fg l 20 25 4/526 7. y g j? ,3,

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Dec. 20, 1955 J. w. MCBRIDE STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. l0, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet C5 United dtates Patent STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT John W. McBride, Burbank, Calif., assigner to Bantar, lncox'porated, Eurbank, Calif., a corporation oi California Application August 10, 1951, Serial No. 241,359 19 Claims. (Cl. 84315) This invention relates to musical instruments having one or more tensioned strings, such as banjos, guitars, or mandolins. In such instruments, it is customary to provide a series of frets, arranged beneath the strings, against which the strings may be pressed by the fingers ot' the player. ln this way, the free vibrating length or" the strings, and its corresponding tone, may be chosen by the player.

it is one of the objects of this invention to make 1t possible to adjust the free vibrating length of the string 1n a simpie manner. in utilizing embodiments of the invention, the player may operate the mechanism for determining the effective length by means other than the fingers. For example, foot or hand manipulation is as ei'ective as finger manipulation. Accordingly, the instrument may be successfully operated even by physically handicapped persons.

in order to accomplish this result, use is made of rollers that engage the strings and are movable by appropriate manipulation oi a lever, or the like. Such manipulation may be effected either by the palm of the hand, or by the foot, or by pulling cords attached to the mechanism.

lt is accordingly another object of this invention to provide an instrument ot this character in which simple apparatus is provided for the rollers that adjust the free vibrating lengths of the strings.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose, there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a iimiting sense, since the scope ot the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a musical instrument 1ncorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View, taken along a plane corresponding to line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary pictolial view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in the previous figures;

Figs. 7 and 8 are side elevations of modified forms of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modification;

Fig. l() is a fragmentary plan view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 11i-10 of Fig. 9;

Figs. il and l2 are views, similar to Fig. 3, of moditied forms of the invention; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are views, mainly diagrammatic, of still further modifications.

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in the form shown in Figs. l to 6, inclusive, a body 1 is shown which may be made of any appropriate material, and conforming in contour to a guitar, or the like. The body 1 serves to support a plurality of tensioned strings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These are in general parallel arrangement, mounted above the upper face of the body 1 as by the aid of the bridges 1l) and 11. Each of the strings is provided with an anchoring enlargement 12 (Fig. 2), as well as with a tuning peg 13 arranged in the usual manner. An electromagnetic pick-up device 14 is arranged adjacent the right-hand end of the instrument for the translation of the string vibrations into electrical impulses in a well understood manner.

in the present instance, there are four rollers 15, 16, 1'7, and 1r; confined below the strings 2 to 9, inclusive, and which are adapted to roll, with respect to the strings, on the upper surface o the body 1. The axis of each roiler is transverse to the strings. Each roller provides a rolling stop for a pair of strings. Thus, roller 15 cooperates with strings 2 and 3. Roller 16 cooperates with strings 4' and 5, etc. The other two rollers 17 and 18 similarly cooperate with the pairs of strings 6-7 and 8 9.

in order to adjust the effective length of a pair of tensioned strings, the corresponding roller may be moved along the length of the instrument.

A common means is provided for the movement of a pair of rollers 15 and 16, and a similar common means is provided for the simultaneous movement of the rollers 17 and 18 lengthwise of the body 1.

The rollers 15 and 15 are mounted on a common spindle or shaft 19 (see, particularly, Fig. 3). The ends of this shaft may be peened over to ensure against removal of these rollers.

Each of these rollers is provided with end flanges. Thus, roller 15 has end ilanges 2t) and 21, and roller 16 has end flanges 22 and 23. Spaced between the adjacent anges 21 and 23 is an idler roller 24 of smaller diameter than the rollers 15 and 16.

Movement of the rollers 15 and 16 lengthwise of the body 1 is effected, in this instance, by a lever mechanism including a slotted member 25. This lever mechanism has an arm member 26 provided with an elongated slot 27. The sides of the slot are generally parallel, and are oblique to the strings. The upper edge of the slot is delined by a relatively wide portion 28 of the lever 25. An idler, or supplemental roller, 24 is located within the slot 27 (Fig. 3). It is free to roll on shaft 19. The adjacent flanges 21 and 23 of the rollers' 15 and 16 are engaged by the opposite edges of the wide portion 28. These tlanges are stepped in order to provide an annular shoulder against which these edges may rest. The lower wall of the slot 27 is in engagement with the idler roller 24.

The lever mechanism 25 is pivoted for angular movea ment on a stationary pin 29 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6). This pin extends transversely across a recess in the body 1, and has an axis parallel to the axes of the rollers. A coil spring 30 is wound around the pin 29, and one end is anchored thereto. The other end 31 engages beneath the lever 25; Normally, the spring 30 resiliently urges the lever 25 to the full line position of Fig. 2. In this position, the stop projection 32 (Figs. 2 and 4) engages an overhanging projection 33 formed at the end of the slot 34 formed in the body l. This slot is shown to best advantage in Figs. 3 and 4.

The right-hand end of the lever 25 is shown as provided with a right-angle extension 35 in order to elevate the right-hand end of the slotted portion 26.

The slot 34 permits downward movement of the lever 25, as by the palm of the hand, or other parts of the body. In the free position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2, the rollers 15 and 16 are at the extreme left-hand posi- 3 tion. The effective: lengths of the strings 2, 3, 4 and 5 are-accordinglyl at a maximum. As the lever 25 -is urged downward in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 36 in Fig. 2, the rollers 15 and 16 are urged toward the-right by the force exerted upon the roller structure through the walls of the slot 27. The phantom line position in Fig. 2 illustrates the rollers 15 and 16 near a limiting right-hand position. The etective lengths, therefore, of the strings 2, 3, 4, and 5 are reduced, andthe pitch isA accordingly increased when these strings are vibrated, as by a pick, or the like.

The structure for operating the rollers 17 and 18 is substantially identical with that disclosed in connection with rollers and 16. A lever structure 37, identical in structure withthe lever 25, operates the rollers 17 and 18.

Due to the lever arrangement in which the operating portion is substantially above the body 1, manipulation of these levers is facilitated. In addition, other manual means may be utilized for operating the levers, such, for example, as the pull cords 38 (Figs. 2 and 3) which may be anchored to the left-hand ends of the levers and 37. These pull cords may be manipulated by any appropriate mechanism.

Additional pull cords may be provided near the righthand ends of these levers. These pull cords 39 and 40 are anchored respectively to the levers 25 and 37, and may be guided as by appropriate guide roller structures 41, 42, and 43 supported on the bottom of the body 1.

Other forms of rollers may be substituted for those shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thus, in Fig. 11, a pair of rollers 44 and 45 is mounted to be operated by a common lever structure 46, similar to lever 25. In this instance, the rollers 44-45 each engage four of the eight strings 2 to 9, inclusive. The slot 47 of the lever 46 is formed by a relatively wide flange 48 above the rollers and a narrow flange 49 below the rollers. The liange` 48 extends over the edges of the adjacent ends of the rollers 44 and 45. The lower edge of the slot 47 directly contacts the idler roller 50. In this instance, only one lever mechanism is utilized to control the effective lengths of all of the strings.

In Fig. 12, a single roller 51 is utilized, engaging all of the strings. A pair of end rollers 52 and 53 is provided, rolling on the upper edge of the body 54. The lever structure 55, in this case, includes an upper arm 55 and a pair of spaced arms 56 and 57. These spaced arms-may be disposed within a recess 58 in the body 54.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, one or more strings 2 are supported above a body S8. One or more rollers 59 are conned between the strings and the top surface of the body 58. These rollers are manipulable by a linearly movable slotted member 60. The slot 61: is oblique to the strings and has edges that cooperate with the roller structure 59 in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 2 and 3.

In order to move the member linearly, it. carries stems 62 and 63 on opposite sides thereof, and having a direction normal to the slot 61. A button 64, for manipulation by the palm ofthe hand or otherwise, is provided at the-top of the stern 62. Stern 62 is guided by the standard 65, and the lower stem 63 is similarly guided in a standardl 66. Both of these. standards are mounted upon the body 5S. A compression spring 67 urges the member 60 upwardlyto position the roller structure 59 atthe extreme left-hand end of the slot 61. The member 60 isV shown in full line as partially depressed, the roller structure 59 in this full line position being adjacent the left-hand ends of the strings 2. In the phantom line position, the member 60 is shown in the limiting depressed position. The roller structure 59 is then in its extreme right-hand position.

In' the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8, the roller structure 59 is moved by the aidA of a pivoted arm 68. The pivot pin 69 for the arm is disposed below the Clt body 58. The arm 68 carries a slotted extremity 70, the slot extending radially of pin 69, in. this instance, and engaging the roller structure 59. Two positions are illustrated in full and in phantom lines.

Operation of this form of the instrument is effected by a pull cord 71 attached to an operating arm 72 connected to the arm 68. A tension spring 73 urges the arm 68 to the extreme left-hand position.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9l and l0, the string or strings 2 serve to conne a roller structure 74 against the top surface of the body 75. This roller structure, as shown most clearly in Fig. l0, has the freely rotatable body-contacting rollers 76. The shaft 7.7.v for the roller structure isrnounted in a yoke 78. This yoke has an extension 7 9`pivotally mounted to the end of an angularly adjustable arm 80. The pivot pin 81 mounts this arm for movement on an axis parallel to the axis of shaft 77. A link 82 may be used for adjusting the angular position of the arms 80, two positions being shown respectively by the full and phantom lines. A tension spring 83 urges the structure to the extreme left-hand position, corresponding to a maximum free vibrating length of the strings.

In the form shown in Fig. 13, the lever structure 84 comprises a pair of telescoping parts 85 and 86. The inner member 86 is pivoted upon a pin 87 having an axis parallel to the axis of the roller 88 confined as before, and as indicated in the other figures. The outer member 85 is hollow and telescopes over the member 86. A conipression spring 90 urges the roller 88 into contact with the string or strings 2. The manual operation, in this instance, is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 8.

When the structure 84 is moved in a clockwise direction, the spring 90 isV permitted to contract and expand as required by the center distance spacing of the pivot 87 and of the roller 88.

In the form shown in Fig. 14, a pair of structures 84 is indicated, operating in the same manner as described above and independently manipulable.

The inventor claims:

1. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a. tensioned string supported above the body; a roller conned between the body and the string; and a support for moving theroller and pivotally mounted on the body for movement normal to the axis of the roller and transverse to the string; said support incorporating elongate guide means successive portions of which are located in successivelyv increasing distances from the axis of pivotal movement of said support, said guide means being engageable with the roller for moving the roller along the string selectively to determine different notes in a musical scale in the process of playing the instrument.

2. In a stringed musical instrument: av body; a tensioned string supported above thebody; a roller confined between the body and the string; anda supportfor the roller pivotally mounted on the body for movement normal tothe axis of the roller and transverse to the string; said support having an elongate slot, successive portions of which are located at successively increasing distances from the axis of pivotalmovement of said support, said roller being received in the slot, the longitudinal position ot the roller along the string being determined in accordance with the angular position of the support.

3. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a teusioned string supported above the body; a roller confined between the body and the string; a shaft for the roller; a manually manipulable longitudinally slotted lever through which the shaft extends; and means for. pivotally mounting the lever on the bodythe axis of the pivot being xed on the body and extending parallel' to thel axis of the roller; the'v lever intertting the roller to prevent axial movement of the roller with respect to they lever.

4. ln a stringed musical instrument: a body; a plurality of tensioned strings mounted above the body; a.- pair of rollers having a common axis, said rollers being confined below the strings; a shaft for mounting both of the rollers; a supplemental roller on the shaft and intermediate the pair of rollers; a lever having edges forming a slot, one edge of the slot coacting with the adjacent edges of the pair of rollers, and the other edge of the slot contacting the supplemental roller; and means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft.

5. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a plurality of tensioned strings mounted above the body; a pair of rollers having a common axis, said rollers being confined below the strings; each of said rollers having end flanges; a shaft for mounting both of the rollers; a supplemental roller between adjacent flanges of the rollers; a lever having edges forming a slot, one edge of the slot cooperating with said adjacent flanges, and the other edge contacting the supplemental roller; and means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft.

6. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a plurality of tensioned strings mounted above the body; a roller below the strings; a shaft for the roller; and idlers respectively at the ends of the roller; a lever having an arm contacting the roller on one side of the axis of the shaft, and a pair of arms respectively contacting the idlers on the other side of the axis; and means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the shaft axis.

7. In a musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted on the body; a roller confined below the string; a member having edges forming an elongate slot with parallel edges; said roller being received in said slot; the slot extending at an oblique angle to the string; and means for moving the member in a direction transverse to the slot.

8. In a musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted on the body; a roller confined below the string; a manually manipulable member having means forming an elongate slot with parallel edges, said roller being received in said slot; and means pivoting the member below the strings and on an axis parallel to the axis of the roller.

9. In a musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted on the body; a roller confined below the string; a yoke providing a support for the roller; a lever pivoted to the yoke; and means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the axis of the roller.

10. In a musical instrument: a tensioned string; a roller contacting the string; an arm having telescoping parts pivotally supporting the roller; means for pivotally mounting the arm on an axis parallel to the axis of the roller; and means resiliently urging the telescoping parts apart.

11. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string supported above the body; a roller conned between the string and the body and having an axis transverse to the string; a movable support having elongate guide means engageable with the roller and oblique to the string; means mounting said movable support on the body for movement in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the roller and transverse to the string and orienting said guide means oblique to the string; a iiexible cord attached to the support for moving said support; and resilient means resisting said movement.

12. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string supported above the body; a roller confined between the body and the string; a support for the roller pivotally mounted on the body for movement normal to the axis of the roller and transverse to the string; said support incorporating guide means extending oblique to the string and engageable with the roller for moving the roller along the string; a flexible cord attached to the support for angularly moving said support; and means resiliently resisting angular movement of the support.

13. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a plu-4 rality of tensioned strings mounted above the body; a pair of rollers having a common axis confined below the strings; a shaft for mounting both of the rollers; a supplemental roller on the shaft and intermediate the pair of rollers; a lever having edges forming a slot, one edge coacting with the adjacent Aedges of the pair of rollers, and the other edge of the slot contacting the supplemental roller; means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the said movement; a flexible cord attached to the lever for angularly moving said lever; and means resiliently resisting the angular movement of the lever.

14. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a plurality of tensioned strings mounted above the body; a pair of rollers having a common axis confined below the strings; each of said rollers having end flanges; a shaft for mounting both of the rollers; a supplemental roller between adjacent flanges of the rollers; a lever having edges forming a slot, one edge cooperating with said adjacent flanges, and the other edge contacting the supplemental roller; means pivoting the lever on an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft; a flexible cord attached to the lever for angularly moving said lever; and means resiliently resisting the angular movement of the lever.

15. In a musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted on the body; a roller confined below the string; edges forming an elongate member having a slot with parallel edges, said roller being received in said slot; the slot extending at an oblique angle to the string; means for moving the member in a direction transverse to the slot; and means resiliently resisting the movement of the member.

16. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted along said body; a string contacting member positionable longitudinally of said string; said body and said string defining an elongate space in which said string contacting member may be positioned; a manually manipulable operator movably mounted on said body, said operaor having a surface oblique to the string and traversing said space, and defining a variable limiting position of said string contacting member l0n gitudinally of the space; and means maintaining said string contacting member in engagement with said surface so that the position of said operator determines the position of said string contacting member and a free vibrating length of said string.

17. In a stringed musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string extending along said body; a string contacting member; said string and said body defining an elongate space extending along the length of said string in which said string contacting member may be positioned; a manually manipulable operator having a surface inclined to the length of said string, a portion of said surface extending across said space, said surface engaging said string contacting member and determining a variable limiting position of said string contacting member longitudinally of the space; and means mounting said operator for movement on said body in a direction transverse to said surface, movement of said operator thereby determining different limiting positions of said string contacting member in said space, and determining a free vibrating length of said string.

18. ln a stringed musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string supported above the body; a roller confined between the body and the string; a shaft for the roller; a longitudinally slotted manually manipulable lever through which the shaft extends; and means for pivotally moaning the lever on the body, the axis of the pivot being fixed on the body and extending parallel to the axis of the roller.

19. In a musical instrument: a body; a tensioned string mounted on the body; said body having means forming an elongate opening paralleling the string; a manually manipulable lever arm pivoted on the body for angular movement about an axis normal to the length of the openingsuccessive portions of thelever as: wellk as successive portionsv of' the. opening beingi located atv successively increasing distances from theaxis of movement off the lever; the` lever extending obliquely into the opening and movable therethrough; a portion of the lever being located above thebody for. all positions of the lever; a movable string contacting member; and means for positioning said string contactingmember withrespect to the stringin accordance with the angular position of said lever.

References Cited in the file of' this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 134,679 Knam Ian. 7, 1873 8 Butfum Nov. 18, 1 884 Gardner, Jr Sept. 15, 1931 Guibeaud June. 28, 1932 Finney 1an. 31,1939v Scott Apr. 15, 1941 McBride,` Aug. 6, 1946 Bradley Oct. 4, 19494 Peasley Oct. 18, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Nov. s, 19,30 

